Hong Kong have beaten Ireland by 40 runs in the first T20 International at Bready Cricket Club in Londonderry.

Carrying on from his outstanding form in the Intercontinental Cup game in Belfast last week, Nizakat Khan’s 62 off 43 balls led the way for Hong Kong as they posted 169-5 from 20 overs.

In response, Tanwir Afzal’s opening spell of 2-18 gave Ireland to much work to do in the last 10 as they were dismissed for 129.

It was the onslaught in the opening overs from Nizakat, whose innings included 7 fours and 2 sixes that set the tone as Hong Kong raced to 63-1 after the first six overs.

Nizakat combined with Babar Hayat (49 off 31) for a 56-run second wicket partnership that took Hong Kong to 97-2 in the 12^thover.

Ehsan Khan provided the finishing touches with 29 off 22 balls to lead Hong Kong to an above-par total.

In reply Tanwir Afzal bowled four straight overs at the top of the innings at took 2-18 to leave Ireland reeling at 34-4 after 6 overs.

The Irish mounted a charge through Greg Thompson (44 off 32) and Kevin O’Brien (32 off 24) but the required rate proved too much as Hong Kong ran out winners. Aizaz Khan finished with 3-10.

INTERVIEW WITH COACH SIMON COOK

"It’s good to get off and running and particularly against Ireland who are a strong side. The boys played well."

"Getting off to a decent start, which is something that has dogged us for the last few games helped with a change in the batting order at the top with Nizakat going in - so that’s worked well. To get 60 off the first six overs was outstanding and Babar carried it on.

"If you level criticism with Nizikat its been his consistency, so to bat well in both innings in the four day game and come here and start hitting with calmness and a solid base is a credit to him. Pleased to see some genuine consistency coming along. Opening is a different role for him, which he practiced in Sri Lanka recently and did well."

"We could've wobbled in overs 14 and 15 but Ehsan Khan made a very valuable 29, which enabled us to get to the 160 or 170 total which was the score we wanted to get."

"The win was tempered with a little bit of need for improvement – our fielding wasn’t where it needed to be. We’ve done a lot of work on that and in particular being more committed to diving and there were 5 or 6 opportunities where we just starting slipping back. But having 169 on the board allowed as some leeway."

INTERVIEW WITH BABAR HAYAT

"I think the pleasing thing was that everyone contributed. It was a team effort and everyone did their job"

"Really pleased with how I played – luckily I got a free hit at the start of my innings, which gave me some momentum. First win as captain and just really proud to get the win for Hong Kong and really proud of my teammates – it will be a good lift to our fans at home."

"It’s pleasing to get the win but we need to work on our fielding – we were sloppy today but we can come back tomorrow and fix that."